The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-10-15
MUSIC ANo DRAMA.
THE BosToNIANs.


Last evening the Bostonians made their
initial appearance at City Hail. AS is well
known to our readers the members embrace
a majority of the old Ideals, whose faces
and voices are so familiar to Portlanders,
and who have gained much popularity in
this city. The opera last evening was that
known as lies BrGconniers," or "The
Poachers.' 1t is one of 0ffenbach's works
and the translation is by Mr.. Oscar Well,
the stage manager of the company. 1t is
very amusing and very bright and tuneful,
some Of the songs possessing much beauty,
and several of the choruses displaying great
strength. The soprani have the most work
to do, and the ten0ri but little. There is but
little in the orehestration TO call for extended
comment but the orchestra did their work
excellently under the baton of Mr.. Studley.
The scene Is laid in the south of Franee,in
the epoch of Louis XIV. The estates of the
Count de Campistrous, fussy, weak
minded, capering old nobleman, found no.
where except in 0ffeRbach's operas, are
menaced in more senses than one by Bib
letta, daughter of the counts deceased and
disinherited cousin. Bibletta has been
trained as poacher, and in order that her
fathers revenge may be more thoroughly ac-
cOmplshed through her, she Is passed off as
a man, and continues to masquerade con
when hard pressed by the counts futile
guard. In male garb she is Bibletto in fe-
male, Bibletta :and she is known through the
country side as Rastamagnac, the poacher
She visits the village of Bagneres, where
Ginetta is her only confidante. Ginetta, ON
the day of the visit, is married to Marcas-
sou; and her intimacy with Bibletto makes
her mule-drlver husband jealous. There is
continual hocus..poeus of Bibletto and Bib
letta. The counts Theodore falls in love
with her as Bibletta; and finally, after no
end OF comlcally cQntAssai9Dg situations, the
Ola cnahcerys .Ssft of the her0ine's father is
aecaadeaeaa1n her favor, and the whole matter
is happily compromised by her marriage
with young Theodore The comic situations
are prolonged with endless ingenuity, and
yet with so much action that the interest
does not flag
The cast Of the opera has already been
given. As each of the old favortes APP
peared they were warmly Welcomed Miss
Marie Stone, in the dual character of Bibli-
etto and Biblietta. not only acted the part
with much sprlghtliness, she also sang with
her usual correct intonation and admirable
method. In the grand finale to the second
act her florid execution was marked fea-
ture. Miss Juliette Gordon, who made her
hrSt appearance in Portland, possesses a
powerful meZzo-sopran0 of much sweetness,
and was encored in her duet with Barnabee,
MY Dearest Wife" BarnRbee as Marcas-
SOU never appeared to better advantage. He
was in good voice, his music was of jolly
character, and he acted his part to perfec-
ton. rockingham made all that could
was good as the Count, Miss Mena Cleary
was pretty and pleasing as Barades, Mr..
Miller was fair as Theodore, and Mr.. Mont
gomery was good as the innkeeper. Mr.
Barnabee received an encore for his render
ing of the air mo Rose Without ThOrns,"
The serenade in the first act was delight
fully sung and drew deserved encore. The
quartette in the second act sung by Marcas-
sou and the three poachers Was Offenbachian
to the last degree and very funny.
The choruses were finely rendered, and so
were the ensembles, the finale to the second
act being splendidly rendered and a repeti-
ton demanded. The female chorus is youth
full and pretty, and their singing is good. The
opera was well staged and went off with
great promptness. The principals were
called before the curtain at the close of both
the first and second acts.
At the matinee today "Fanchonette" will
be given, and "Fatinitza" in the evening.
RENE.
There was good advance sale of seats
yesterday at Portland Theatre, for the per-
formances of Rene by the Redmund-Barry
company to take place next Monday and
Tuesday evenings. The Boston Beacon
says: I'm Rene Mr.. Redmund has one of
those breezy. impetuous parts which suit
him well and which he does we'll, while his
IDOL, Gabrielle, is acted in q lady like, but
formal fashion, by a pretty actress. Mrs.
Fanny Barry Sprague. The aunt-mother,
the Duchess d'Armonyille, is taken with
dignity, elegance and womanly strength by
Mrs. Barry. Mr.. j. S. Maffit Jr., sustains
more than sufficiently the young Hectors
part"
Grimmer's orchestra will play the follow
ing selections:
Overture-Apollo.. Bonnisseau
WaltZes-Angelo. ........................ CZibulka
selections from opera Fra Diayolo.. .Auber
8SSaioP-hSuuion. .Lumbye
Waltzes-Visions of Rest. Baker
PARK GARDEN.
Monday evening next will be the opening
night of this new place of amusement, and
it is the purpose of the management to make
it family resort at popular prices. Moth
ing but first-class amusements will be Of
fered. The opening attraction will be the
Boston Ideal Specially Combination. The
Garden will be open to the public this even